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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
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Nitrification recovery behavior by bio-accelerators in copper-inhibited activated sludge system
Yue Wang1, Yingxin Zhao2, Min Ji2
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
Bioresource Technology
|June 24, 2015
Summary
This study found L-aspartic acid effectively restores nitrifying bacteria in copper-inhibited wastewater treatment. A combination of bio-accelerators fully recovered systems in 8 days, offering emergency treatment solutions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Copper (Cu) is a toxic heavy metal that inhibits nitrification in biological wastewater treatment.
- Limited research exists on using accelerators to recover ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in Cu-inhibited systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess bio-accelerators for restoring nitrifying bacteria activity in copper-inhibited activated sludge systems.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of individual components (biotin, L-aspartic acid, cytokinin) and their combinations.
Main Methods:
- Four bio-accelerator formulations were tested in parallel Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs).
- Evaluated effluent nitrogen concentrations (NH4(+)-N, NO2(-)-N, NO3(-)-N) and specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR).
- Assessed copper distribution within the sludge.
Main Results:
- L-aspartic acid demonstrated the most significant effect on rapid bioactivity recovery of nitrifying bacteria.
- A combination of biotin, L-aspartic acid, and cytokinin proved optimal.
- The optimized bio-accelerator achieved 100% recovery of the Cu-inhibited activated sludge system within 8 days.
Conclusions:
- Bio-accelerators, particularly L-aspartic acid and its combination with biotin and cytokinin, are effective in recovering nitrifying bacteria from copper toxicity.
- These bio-accelerators offer a potential solution for emergency treatment in biological wastewater systems facing copper contamination.
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